8 Crystal Lake Businesses Caught Selling Alcohol to Minors

Eight area businesses were caught selling alcoholic beverages to minors during an undercover liquor compliance operation led by Crystal Lake Police.

Police conducted the Alcohol Counter Measure Enforcement on Thursday, Oct. 3, and Wednesday, Oct. 9, Crystal Lake Police Cmdr. Mike Brichetto stated in a news release issued Thursday.

The undercover operation focused on area businesses including stores, bars and restaurants that are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages within the Crystal Lake city limits.

During this detail, four undercover officers and four underage minors "visited 35 liquor establishments, packaged sales stores and restaurant and bars with a goal of finding them all to be in compliance," Brichetto said. 

Eight businesses conducted sales of alcoholic beverages to the minors during the operation.

The businesses found in violation were:

• Walmart Supercenter, 1205 S. Route 31

• Oak Street Food & Liquors, 256 N. Oak Street

• K-Mart, 6000 Route 14
 
• Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen, 110 N. Main St.
 
• Da Buffone Cucina Italiana, 111 N Main St.

• Village Squire, 4818 Route 14
 
• Fire Bar & Grill, 435 Angela Lane 

• Moby Dick’s, 1050 North Shore Dr.

The representatives from the businesses who conducted the illegal sales were cited under a local ordinance, and were issued an adjudication citation. They will be required to appear before an administrative law judge at a hearing where, if found liable, they will be fined, Brichetto said. 

The violations are also reported to the City’s Liquor Commissioner for further consideration of an additional penalty and/or action against the business’ liquor license. 

"With accidents as the leading cause of death among adolescent Americans, coupled with alcohol as the leading causative factor, the Crystal Lake Police Department strives to develop a partnership with local merchants to help them achieve the goal of zero sales to minors," Brichetto said. 

Crystal Lake Police will continue to campaign randomly several times throughout the year in an effort to prevent the illegal alcohol sales to minors by the implementation and expansion of community-based programs, utilizing retail education, enforcement and public awareness, he said.